This is the second part of Sabi Phagura’s visit to Alila Manggis in Bali
The adventurous types are in luck in Candidasa because the hills surrounding it make for great hiking and trekking. It’s advisable to go along with a local tour guide as some of the treks are difficult to navigate. Staff at Alila organised a gentle hike for me through the rice paddies. But it wasn’t just the rice terraces that had me looking in awe. It was the backdrop of the mountains believed to be sacred with two of the most religious temples on top. The walk through the rice paddies is great for discovering many other plants and trees. Our guide Toto pointed out many including the mahogany and banyan tree and even one that produces cotton. Sun protection is vital even on a cloudy day and it helps to have some good shades with you. I was glad to have my Dunlop winter sports sunglasses on hand so that I could look out onto the sea without squinting.
Our trek ended at Tenganan, one of the old traditional villages in Candidasa where the inhabitants believe they are the origin of Balinese. They are known for their unique weaving and palm leaf calendars and the village is really popular with tourists.
With my tummy rumbling after a day’s activities, I decided to head back to Alila and its restaurant by the name of ‘Seasalt’. The menu has a really good balance of Balinese food and East meets West dishes. But as I was in Bali, I opted for a traditional nasi goreng, fish and vegetable, paired off with a nice glass of chilled white wine. Sitting under this thatched roof open air restaurant, the evening is topped with the sounds of crashing waves in the background.
Alila Manggis is set amidst a coconut grove, nestled between the sea and the majestic Mount Agung, Bali’s most sacred mountain. This boutique hotel is a mixture of outdoor meets indoor and luxury and functionality. The ocean views are captured from all of the bedrooms, which are cleverly built around a palm-fringed pool. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a swim, get stuck into a good read or enjoy the daily complimentary afternoon tea served with local delicacies.
The standard rooms themselves are quite small and compact but the icing on the cake is the balcony that comes with them, complete with a fitted day bed overlooking those wonderful views.
Relaxation comes easily here at Alila Manggis but there’s plenty more to do should your curiosity to explore the area through cycling, diving or snorkelling get the better of you. For this is the life, East Bali style in Candidasa.
Get one complimentary night for every two nights booked at Alila Manggis with the ‘Another Day in Paradise package’ (breakfast included). A minimum of three nights is required (complimentary night included). Valid to 31 March 2014.
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